RHP Nathan Karns, on being told he was traded to the Rays from the Nationals for Jose Lobaton and prospects Felipe Rivero and Drew Vettleson.

Who is this Ray?

His father played five years of pro ball and on a summer college team with Rays manager Joe Maddon. He pitched at USC, majoring in communications. He has been traded twice.

The dish

Today's workout for pitchers and catchers starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park (2300 El Jobean Road) and will last about two hours. Admission and parking free. Driving time from the bay area is 1½ -2 hours. Suggested route: I-75 South to Toledo Blade Road, go west 6½ miles to El Jobean Road (SR 776), go right 2 miles, stadium complex is on left. For more information: (941) 235-5025.

Heads-up

It's the first pen session for the second half of the staff, including RHPs Chris Archer, Alex Colome and Joel Peralta and LHP Matt Moore. Action starts around 10:10.

Exhibition schedule

Tickets: Single-game range from $10-$29 and are available at raysbaseball.com, via phone (toll-free 1-800-745-3000), Charlotte Sports Park and Tropicana Field box offices, team Tampa Store (400 N Tampa St.) and all Ticketmaster outlets.

Games at 1:05 unless noted.

Feb.

28 Orioles

March

1 at Pirates

2 Twins

3 Phillies

4 at Red Sox

5 Yankees

6 at Orioles

7 at Blue Jays

8 Pirates

9 at Yankees

10 at Red Sox

11 Twins

12 at Blue Jays

13 Pirates

14 at Braves

15 (ss) Blue Jays

15 (ss) at Pirates

16 Red Sox

17 Off

18 at Twins, 7:05

19 at Orioles

20 Twins, 7:05

21 Blue Jays

22 Orioles

23 at Red Sox

24 at Twins

25 Red Sox

26 Orioles 7:05

27 at Orioles, 7:05

28 at Tigers

29 at AA Montgomery (Ala.), 3:05

Who is this Ray: RHP Brad Boxberger

Marc Topkin, Times staff writer

Get the latest at tampabay.com/blogs/rays and on Twitter at @TBTimes_Rays.

It's a dog's life …

Is LHP David Price's French bulldog Astro still top dog among the Rays' canine companions? There seems to be some legit competition from C Ryan Hanigan's Australian shepherd Vivian, who, competing as Copperridge What's Your Dream, won a Best of Breed ribbon at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show. "Astro's fine," Price said. "Astro's okay with it. He's blue collar." P Brad Boxberger also has a French bulldog named Ralph.